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Volvo Unveils Electrified New S90 Sedan with Enhanced Comfort, Safety and Technology

Volvo Cars has officially unveiled the updated Volvo S90, a sleek and sophisticated evolution of its flagship sedan, now featuring a comprehensive suite of premium design elements, cutting-edge technology, and electrified powertrains aimed at enhancing comfort, safety and driving experience.

The new S90 embodies the Swedish automaker’s shift towards full electrification, offering both plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid variants. It blends modern Scandinavian aesthetics with advanced functionality, reaffirming Volvo’s commitment to innovation and sustainable luxury.

From the outside, the refreshed S90 presents a more contemporary and refined appearance. The redesigned front and rear fascias give the sedan a more assertive and polished silhouette, complemented by clean lines and an updated front grille with bold graphic detailing. A sculpted bonnet, reworked front wings, and a sharper front bumper contribute to the S90’s poised stance.

Signature design elements such as the Thor’s Hammer LED headlights have been reimagined with slimmer proportions and stretch all the way to the grille, now incorporating Volvo’s latest Matrix LED technology to enhance visibility in all conditions. At the rear, newly styled taillights integrate seamlessly with the overall design for a cohesive finish.

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Get Lost Transforms Iconic Lotus Elise S1 into Rally-Ready Project Safari

Surrey-based automotive start-up Get Lost has unveiled an audacious reinterpretation of the classic Lotus Elise S1, turning the revered lightweight sports car into a rugged off-road rally-raid machine. Known as Project Safari, the vehicle defies the Elise’s traditional road-hugging persona by embracing a radically altered design aimed at conquering rough terrain.

The Project Safari is intended as a provocative departure from the Elise’s original ethos. The team at Get Lost conceived the concept with the express purpose of challenging expectations. The Elise, first launched in the 1990s as a featherweight, track-focused sports car, has been extensively overhauled both aesthetically and mechanically to meet the demands of serious off-road driving.

Among the most significant engineering changes is the complete redesign of the car’s suspension system. The bespoke setup raises the ride height by 100mm, dramatically increasing ground clearance and enabling the vehicle to tackle uneven surfaces with greater assurance. The undertray has also been reinforced to withstand impacts from debris and rocks that might be encountered off-road.

To accommodate the vehicle’s new all-terrain Nankang tyres, the bodywork has been revised with flared wheel arches. A distinctive roof-mounted air intake, styled in homage to the Elise’s original front grille, now sits above the cabin, giving the vehicle a more aggressive silhouette. In contrast to the Elise’s famously smooth curves, Get Lost has equipped the Project Safari with rectangular LED headlights and a prominent front-end rally lamp pod, heightening the car’s off-road visual language.

While the original Rover-sourced 1.8-litre engine has been retired, Get Lost has not yet disclosed the powertrain chosen for the Project Safari. However, the company has confirmed that the new engine offers both enhanced performance and improved reliability—qualities essential for off-road capability. It is widely speculated that either Honda’s robust K-Series engine or Ford’s dependable Duratec unit has been installed, both of which are known for delivering significantly greater power than the Elise’s original 118bhp output.

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Hennessey Unveils Venom F5 Evolution: 2,031bhp, 0-322km/h in 10.3 Seconds!

Hennessey Special Vehicles has officially introduced the Venom F5 Evolution, a significantly upgraded iteration of its celebrated hypercar, now recognised as the most powerful road-legal car powered solely by an internal combustion engine. Developed in partnership with Ilmor Engineering, the new model generates power, accompanied by substantial improvements in aerodynamics, suspension, handling, and comfort.

The launch of the Venom F5 Evolution marks a pivotal moment in Hennessey’s ongoing mission to redefine the limits of performance and engineering. The Texan manufacturer, known for pushing the boundaries of speed and design, embarked on an intensive development programme following customer demand for enhanced capability. As a result, the F5 Evolution incorporates a comprehensive suite of upgrades designed to refine both on-track performance and grand touring comfort.

At the heart of this next-generation hypercar lies the newly optimised ‘Fury’ engine, a 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V8 created through a collaboration with high-performance specialists Ilmor Engineering. Building upon the original powerplant, the revised engine benefits from advanced componentry including the world’s largest mirror-image turbochargers (Precision 76/80 Next Gen), Ilmor-designed billet aluminium pistons, extreme-duty aluminium connecting rods, lightweight titanium exhaust valves, high-capacity fuel injectors, and refined billet valve covers. These enhancements collectively contribute to an increase of 214 brake horsepower (bhp) over the original output.

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GAC Honda Launches P7 All-Electric SUV in China — First Model on Dedicated “Architecture W” Platform

GAC Honda has officially introduced the P7 in China, an all-electric SUV that represents the brand’s first venture under the newly developed “Architecture W”, a platform purpose-built for battery electric vehicles. With prices ranging from 199,900 to 249,900 yuan (around RM131,000 to RM164,000), the P7 arrives in three distinct variants, each aimed at redefining Honda’s presence in the EV segment.

The P7 makes a bold visual statement with its futuristic design language inspired by mechanical aesthetics. Its broad, low-slung profile is crafted for aerodynamic efficiency, enhanced by a seamless body construction that reduces drag. At the front, a closed-off grille is complemented by a full-width LED light bar, while the lower section features a blacked-out multi-slat bumper that adds visual depth and aggression to the SUV’s appearance. Notably, the P7 is also the first model to carry Honda’s latest brand emblem, signifying a new design direction for the marque.

Dimensionally, the P7 positions itself as a spacious option in its class. It stretches 4,750 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, and stands at 1,625 mm tall, supported by an extended wheelbase of 2,930 mm. For comparison, this places it larger than the sixth-generation Honda CR-V currently sold in Malaysia, particularly in terms of wheelbase and overall width, which contributes to a notably high space utilisation rate of 85.8%.

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Kia and Innocean Berlin Launch ‘Soundscapes’ to Redefine the Road Trip Experience

Kia, in partnership with creative agency Innocean Berlin, has unveiled Soundscapes, an ambitious new project that reimagines how passengers experience movement. More than just a technological showcase, the initiative is a sensory-driven exploration of connection and inclusivity, offering a new way to interpret the world through sound.

The heart of the Soundscapes project lies in its innovative use of the Kia EV9’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). By capturing the surrounding topography in real-time, the vehicle’s AI system translates the natural landscape into music, transforming a standard road trip into an immersive, auditory journey. Passengers are invited to engage with their environment not through sight, but through a sonic interpretation of their surroundings.

This concept holds particular significance for visually impaired passengers. David Hilbert, Marketing Director at Kia Europe, stated that the project aims to demonstrate how technology can overcome barriers and enrich lives. Kia’s belief that “movement inspires ideas” serves as the foundation of this initiative, with Soundscapes acting as a tangible expression of that ethos.

The technical and creative execution was led by Innocean Berlin in collaboration with Harald Schaack of grotesk.group, who developed the system to map landscape features and feed them into a real-time music generator. Schaack’s algorithm interprets visual data from the ADAS system and translates it into audio signals.

To ensure these soundscapes were both expressive and grounded in emotional resonance, music producer Wonder Bettin of DaHouse GmbH was brought on board. Each natural object encountered by the vehicle was given a unique musical quality, chosen to reflect its perceived size, texture, and movement. Bettin explained that music has the power to awaken the imagination in profound ways, offering new perspectives and making the unseen deeply felt.

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Mazda’s Next-Generation MX-5 to Remain Light, Manual, and Naturally Aspirated

Despite the automotive industry’s ongoing shift towards electrification, digitalisation, and downsizing, Mazda has no intention of abandoning the core characteristics that have made the MX-5 a beloved icon for over three decades. Even after ten years on the market, the current ND-generation Miata remains a favourite among enthusiasts, and the Japanese marque appears committed to preserving its spirit in the forthcoming successor.

Masashi Nakayama, General Manager of Mazda’s Design Division, has confirmed that the next MX-5 will continue the brand’s pursuit of lightweight engineering, as reported by Road & Track. Mazda’s internal goal is to keep the future model’s kerb weight below 1,000kg. This weight target echoes the philosophy of the Japan-only ND 990S, which currently stands as the lightest version of the Miata at just 990kg.

While car buyers often anticipate more interior space with each new model generation, those hoping for a roomier MX-5 cabin may be left disappointed. Mazda’s engineers are determined to keep the vehicle compact, and the new model is expected to retain a length of under four metres. This would align closely with the current ND’s measurement of 154.1 inches, reaffirming the brand’s stance on maintaining the Miata’s signature footprint.

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Audi Introduces All-New A6 Sedan with Benchmark Aerodynamics and Refined Driving Dynamics

Audi has expanded its A6 model line with a new business-class sedan that merges elegance with technological sophistication. Set for a global rollout beginning mid-April 2025, the new A6 Sedan embodies the marque’s commitment to design excellence, aerodynamic efficiency, and driving comfort, marking a new chapter in the premium full-size segment.

This latest iteration of the A6 boasts a drag coefficient of just 0.23 — the lowest ever achieved by an Audi production model powered by an internal combustion engine. It exemplifies Audi’s advancement in aerodynamics, combining subtle design refinements with high-performance engineering to enhance both efficiency and performance.

Underpinning the new A6 is a range of modern petrol and diesel powertrains, all integrated with the brand’s MHEV plus mild-hybrid technology. This system supports the combustion engine with electric assistance, allowing smoother acceleration, lower emissions, and greater fuel efficiency. It also enables limited electric-only driving in low-speed urban conditions and while coasting. The line-up includes a 2.0-litre TDI four-cylinder engine producing 204PS, and a 3.0-litre TFSI six-cylinder delivering 367PS. Both benefit from the electrified system’s additional torque of up to 230Nm and a power boost of up to 24PS during overtaking or take-off, while recuperation during deceleration can reach up to 25 kW.

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BMW HypersonX: A Sonic Revolution for the Neue Klasse Era

As BMW opens a new chapter in 2025 with its all-electric Neue Klasse lineup, it is redefining not only the way its vehicles drive but also how they sound and feel. At the heart of this sensory transformation is HypersonX—a groundbreaking soundscape developed by the BMW Group Sound Design Studio, which introduces an emotional layer of interaction between driver and vehicle.

HypersonX isn’t just a collection of futuristic tones—it’s a multi-dimensional, immersive audio experience designed specifically for the Neue Klasse models. It comprises 43 curated sound signals, along with specially developed drive sounds tailored to both Personal Mode and Sport Mode. These modes shift the emotional tone inside the cabin, delivering everything from soothing naturalistic sound cues to adrenaline-pumping acceleration notes that evoke speed and power.

This dynamic sound adaptation is enabled by major technological leaps made possible by the Neue Klasse platform. At the core lies BMW Operating System X and an all-new audio control unit, creating the conditions for richer sound reproduction, expanded dynamic range, and spatial modulation that lets the driver “travel” through layers of sound during different phases of acceleration.

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Volkswagen Introduces PAC-MAN Championship Edition to In-Car Gaming Experience

Volkswagen is further enhancing its digital offerings with the integration of the PAC-MAN Championship Edition into its AirConsole in-car gaming platform. Available as an optional feature in selected models, the game can now be played on the infotainment system when the vehicle is stationary, with smartphones serving as controllers.

Volkswagen becomes the first carmaker to dynamically integrate the classic game with vehicle-specific features, including ambient background lighting and, in compatible ID. models, the ID. Light interface. This immersive enhancement allows the interior lighting to respond in real-time to game progress and player interactions, creating a more engaging and interactive gaming experience within the cabin.

The PAC-MAN Championship Edition retains the core mechanics that made the original 1980s arcade game iconic. Players navigate PAC-MAN through a maze, consuming dots while avoiding capture by ghosts. Once a maze is cleared, the player advances to the next level. The Volkswagen edition introduces several new visual elements and in-game rewards. Players can earn additional points by interacting with silhouettes of legendary Volkswagen vehicles such as the Beetle, VW Bus, and the Golf IV R32, as well as brand identifiers like GTI, GTX, and R. Power pellets now appear in the form of the Volkswagen brand logo, offering new ways to combat the Ghost Gang.

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EU Proposal to Classify Carbon Fibre as Hazardous Threatens Automotive and Aerospace Industries

A new legislative proposal from the European Parliament has sent ripples through the global automotive and aerospace sectors, as it aims to designate carbon fibre as a hazardous material under European Union law. The move, if approved, would make the EU the first government entity worldwide to apply such a classification to the lightweight composite, widely prized for its strength and durability.

The proposed amendment forms part of the revised End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive, which governs the recycling and disposal of vehicles within the EU. Lawmakers have expressed concern that carbon fibre filaments may become airborne during disposal or recycling processes and pose risks to human health upon skin contact. As a result, the material could soon join the EU’s restricted substances list—currently comprising lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium—materials already subject to strict limitations in manufacturing.

Should the European Parliament adopt the proposal, restrictions on the use of carbon fibre would begin to take effect in 2029, prompting a phased reduction across industries. Automotive manufacturers alone account for an estimated 20 percent of the global demand for carbon fibre, highlighting the widespread implications of the amendment.

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